Cover window and display device having the same

ABSTRACT

A cover window covering a display panel of a display device comprises a base member covering a display area and a non-display area of the display panel, and an inorganic layer disposed on the base member. The inorganic layer has substantially uniform thickness on the display area, and has a diffraction grating structure on the non-display area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/524,749, filed Oct. 27, 2014, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0022443, filed on Feb.26, 2014 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Example embodiments relate to cover windows formed on a surface ofdisplay devices and display devices having the same.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a transparent cover window covers a display area and anon-display area (i.e., a bezel area) of a display panel to protect thedisplay panel and inner circuits of a display device from externalshocks and foreign material, such as dust and the like, and to transmitimages generated from the display panel. The non-display area of thedisplay device implements a color (e.g., a white color, a black color,etc) based on an ink layer or a print layer that is located between thedisplay panel and the cover window.

Thus, a color of the ink layer (or the print layer) determines a color(design) of the non-display area. In other words, a pigment in the inklayer may determine a color of the overall the non-display area (thebezel area). However, the number of colors expressed by the ink layer islimited. Also, it is hard to represent a plurality of colors andpatterns in the display device.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments provide a cover window including an inorganic layerhaving diffraction grating structure as well as a display deviceincluding the cover window.

According to example embodiments, a cover window may comprise a basemember covering a display area and a non-display area of the displaypanel, and an inorganic layer disposed on the base member. The inorganiclayer may have substantially uniform thickness on the display area, andmay have a diffraction grating structure on the non-display area.

In example embodiments, the diffraction grating structure may include aplurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a first direction.

In example embodiments, the cover window may further comprise a coatinglayer disposed on the inorganic layer. The coating layer may havesubstantially uniform thickness such that the coating layer has asubstantially flat shape on the display area and has a diffractiongrating structure corresponding to the diffraction grating structure ofthe inorganic layer in the non-display area.

In example embodiments, the coating layer may include ananti-fingerprint coating layer.

In example embodiments, the anti-fingerprint layer may be formed with afluorine-containing coating material.

In example embodiments, the inorganic layer may include silicon-oxide.

In example embodiments, the cover window may further comprise ananti-reflection (AR) layer disposed between the inorganic layer and thebase member.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may include aplurality of layers having different refractive indexes.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may include a titaniumoxide layer and a silicon oxide layer.

According to example embodiments, a display device may comprise adisplay panel including a display area and a non-display area, a coverwindow disposed on the display panel, and a resin layer disposed betweenthe display panel and the cover window. The cover window may comprise abase member covering the display area and the non-display area of thedisplay panel, and an inorganic layer disposed on the base member. Theinorganic layer may have substantially uniform thickness on the displayarea, and may have a diffraction grating structure on the non-displayarea.

In example embodiments, the diffraction grating structure may include aplurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a first direction.

In example embodiments, the cover window may further comprise a coatinglayer disposed on the inorganic layer. The coating layer may havesubstantially uniform thickness such that the coating layer has asubstantially flat shape on the display area and has a diffractiongrating structure corresponding to the diffraction grating structure ofthe inorganic layer in the non-display area.

In example embodiments, the coating layer may include ananti-fingerprint coating layer.

In example embodiments, the anti-fingerprint layer may be formed with afluorine-containing coating material.

In example embodiments, the inorganic layer may include silicon-oxide.

In example embodiments, the cover window may further comprise ananti-reflection (AR) layer disposed between the inorganic layer and thebase member.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may include aplurality of layers having different refractive indexes.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer may include a titaniumoxide layer and a silicon oxide layer.

Therefore, the cover window and the display device having the sameaccording to example embodiments may include the inorganic layer havingthe diffraction grating structure on the non-display area. Thediffraction and reflection of the external light may occur from thediffraction grating structure, so that various colors may be seen at thenon-display area (i.e. a bezel area) depending on viewing angle (e.g.,an iridescent color). Thus, an aesthetic effect of the display devicehaving the cover window may be improved.

In addition, the various colors of the non-display area and a designeffect by the simple diffraction grating structure without additionalprocess that forms a print layer or an ink layer, so that productioncost may be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments can be understood in more detail from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views illustrating a cover windowaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of the cover window ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating another example of the cover windowof FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of adiffraction grating structure of the cover window of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of adiffraction grating structure of the cover window of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cover window accordingto example embodiments.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating an example ofmethod of manufacturing the cover window of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the displaydevice of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments areshown.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cover window accordingto example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cover window 100 may include a base member 120and an inorganic layer 140. In an example embodiment, the cover window100 may further include a coating layer disposed on the inorganic layer140. The cover window 100 may cover a display panel that includes adisplay area DA and a non-display area NA of a display device (or anelectronic device). In example embodiments, the non-display area NA mayinclude a bezel area. Function-keys may be arranged at the non-displayarea NA.

The cover window 100 may protect inner components of the display device,while passively transferring images generated by a display panel.

The base member 120 may cover the display area DA and the non-displayarea NA of the display panel. The base member 120 may be attached to thedisplay panel by optically clear adhesive (OCA) film or transparentadhesive resin.

In example embodiments, the base member 120 may include a tempered glassthat is stronger than ordinary glass by about 3 times to about 5 times.In example embodiments, the base member 120 may be formed with atransparent plastic material.

For example, the transparent plastic material may include polycarbonate(PC), polymethymethacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET),polyimide (PI), and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inorganic layer 140 may be disposed on thebase member 120. In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 mayhave substantially uniform thickness on the display area DA and may havea diffraction grating structure 145 on the non-display area NA. Inexample embodiments, when a coating layer is included in the coverwindow 100, the inorganic layer 140 may improve adhesion between thebase member 120 and the coating layer. The diffraction grating structure145 may include a plurality of grooves 142 arranged in parallel in onedirection on the non-display area NA. In example embodiments, thediffraction grating structure 145 may include the plurality of grooves142 which have substantially uniform width (i.e., have a regularpattern). In example embodiments, relative widths of the grooves 142 maybe different from each other. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in exampleembodiments, the diffraction grating structure 145 may have rectangulargrooves 142 which have substantially uniform width. The grooves 142 maybe formed on regions where the inorganic layer 140 is not formed on thebase member 120. Thus, the coating layer may be directly contacted tothe base member 120 at the grooves 142. In example embodiments, thediffraction grating structure 145 may have a concave shape. However, ashape of the diffraction grating structure is not limited thereto.

The diffraction may occur from the diffraction grating structure 145, sothat colors may be seen at the non-display area NA depending on viewingangle. For example, the diffraction grating structure 145 may produceiridescent reflections. Further, a width of the grooves T may bedetermined by adjusting widths of a silt of a mask that is used to formthe inorganic layer 140. Lights reflected at the diffraction gratingstructure 145 may have various colors depending on the width and/or theshape of the grooves. For example, the narrower the width of the groovesT, the more colorful the non-display area NA. In example embodiments,the diffraction grating structure 145 may include the plurality ofgrooves 142 arranged in parallel in one direction on the non-displayarea NA. For example, the direction may correspond to a long axis of thedisplay device, or a short axis of the display device perpendicular tothe long axis.

For example, the inorganic layer 140 may have a thickness of about 500□to about 600□. In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 mayinclude silicon-oxide (SiO2). The silicon-oxide may improve adhesionbetween the base member 120 and the coating layer. However, materialsforming the inorganic layer 140 are not limited thereto. For example,the inorganic layer 140 may include silicon-nitride (SiNx),Silicon-oxynitride, etc.

In example embodiments, the cover window 100 may include ananti-reflection (AR) layer 130 (FIG. 5) between the inorganic layer 140and the base member 120. The anti-reflection layer may include aplurality of layers having different refractive indexes. For example,the anti-reflection layer includes a titanium oxide layer and a siliconoxide layer. The titanium oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer mayhave different refractive indexes, so that they may act as theanti-reflection layer. Also, the titanium oxide layer and the siliconoxide layer may have different thicknesses, and may act as theanti-reflection layer. The anti-reflection layer may improve thetransmittance of the display area DA of the display device, bypreventing the external light from being reflected by the cover window100 and the display panel.

In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a maskpatterning process. For example, the diffraction grating structure 145of the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a slit mask or a halftonemask. In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by asputtering process, a vacuum evaporation process, a chemical vapordeposition (CVD) process, a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD) process, a high density plasma-chemical vapor deposition(HDP-CVD) process, etc.

As described above, the cover window 100 of the display device in FIG. 1may include the inorganic layer 140 having the diffraction gratingstructure 145 on the non-display area NA. The diffraction and reflectionof the external light may occur from the diffraction grating structure145, so that various colors may be seen at the non-display area NAdepending on viewing angle (e.g., an iridescent color). Therefore, anaesthetic effect of the display device having the cover window 100 maybe improved.

Furthermore, the various colors of the non-display area NA may beimplemented by the simple diffraction grating structure 145 without aprint layer or an ink layer, so that production cost may be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of the cover window ofFIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating another example of thecover window of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover window 220 included in a displaydevice may have a display area 240 and a non-display area 260. The coverwindow 220 may include a base member and an inorganic layer. Thenon-display area 260 of the cover window 220 may have a diffractiongrating structure where a plurality of grooves 280 and 285 are included.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inorganic layer having substantiallyuniform thickness may be disposed on the display area 240 of the basemember. The inorganic layer having the diffraction grating structure maybe disposed on the non-display area 260 of the base member. In exampleembodiments, a coating layer may be disposed on the inorganic layer. Thecoating layer may have substantially uniform thickness such that thecoating layer has a substantially flat shape on the display area 240 andhas a diffraction grating structure corresponding to the diffractiongrating structure of the inorganic layer in the non-display area 260.

In example embodiments, the diffraction grating structure of theinorganic layer may include a plurality of grooves 280 arranged inparallel in a first direction LD that is a direction of a long axis LD.The grooves 280 may have the substantially uniform width. In exampleembodiments, the diffraction grating structure of the inorganic layermay be formed by a mask patterning process.

In other words, the grooves 280 may be perpendicular to a direction of ashort axis SD. The diffraction may occur from the diffraction gratingstructure, so that various colors may be seen at the non-display area260 depending on viewing angle. For example, the non-display area 260 ofthe cover window 220 may have an iridescent surface along the firstdirection LD that is perpendicular to the short axis SD.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inorganic layer having substantiallyuniform thickness may be disposed on the display area 240 of the basemember. The inorganic layer having the diffraction grating structure maybe disposed on the non-display area 260 of the base member. In exampleembodiments, a coating layer may be disposed on the inorganic layer. Thecoating layer may have substantially uniform thickness such that thecoating layer has a substantially flat shape on the display area 240 andhas a diffraction grating structure corresponding to the diffractiongrating structure of the inorganic layer in the non-display area 260.

In example embodiments, the diffraction grating structure of theinorganic layer may include a plurality of grooves 285 arranged inparallel in a second direction SD that is a direction of the short axisSD. The grooves 285 may have substantially uniform width. In exampleembodiments, the diffraction grating structure of the inorganic layermay be formed by a mask patterning process.

In other words, the grooves 285 may be perpendicular to the firstdirection LD. The diffraction may occur from the diffraction gratingstructure, so that various colors may be seen at the non-display area260 depending on viewing angle. For example, the non-display area 260 ofthe cover window 220 may have iridescent surface along the seconddirection SD that is perpendicular to the long axis LD (the firstdirection).

However, directions and widths of the grooves 280 and 285 are notlimited thereto. For example, the grooves may be arranged incorresponding to a diagonal axis of the cover window 220.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of adiffraction grating structure of the cover window of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4Bis a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a diffractiongrating structure of the cover window of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cover window disposed on a non-displayarea NA of a display device may include a base member 120 and aninorganic layer 420 and 440 that is formed on the base member. Theinorganic layer 420 and 440 may have a diffraction grating structure 425and 445.

The base member 120 may include a tempered glass that is stronger thanan ordinary glass from about 3 times to about 5 times. In exampleembodiments, the base member 120 may be formed with a transparentplastic material.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the inorganic layer 420 may have thediffraction grating structure 425. The diffraction grating structure 425may include a plurality of grooves 422. For example, the diffractiongrating structure 425 may be formed as a continuously concave-convex orsawtooth pattern. In example embodiments, the grooves 422 may havesubstantially the same width T and may extend in the same direction. Inexample embodiments, relative widths of the grooves 422 may be differentfrom each other. The diffraction grating structure 425 may produceiridescent reflections. In example embodiments, the diffraction gratingstructure 425 may be formed by a slit mask or a halftone mask.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the inorganic layer 440 may have thediffraction grating structure 445. The diffraction grating structure 445may include a plurality of grooves 442. For example, convex inorganicpatterns may be formed on the base member 120. In example embodiments,the grooves 442 may have substantially the same width T and may extendin the same direction. In example embodiments, relative widths of thegrooves may be different from each other. The diffraction gratingstructure 445 may produce iridescent reflections. In exampleembodiments, the diffraction grating structure 425 may be formed by aslit mask or a halftone mask.

However, shape of the inorganic layers 420 and 440 is not limitedthereto. For example, the diffraction grating structure may have anyshape having grooves that have substantially the same width and samedirection.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cover window accordingto example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover window 500 may comprise a base member 120and an inorganic layer 140. In an example embodiment, the cover window100 may further include a coating layer 160 disposed on the inorganiclayer 140. In FIG. 5, like reference numerals are used to designateelements of the cover window the same as those in FIGS. 1A and 1B, anddetailed description of these elements may be omitted. The cover windowof FIG. 5 may be substantially the same as or similar to the coverwindow of FIG. 1 except for the coating layer 160.

The coating layer 160 may be disposed on the inorganic layer 140 and theexposed window member 120. The coating layer 160 may have substantiallyuniform thickness such that the coating layer 160 has a substantiallyflat shape on the display area DA and has a diffraction gratingstructure 164 corresponding to a diffraction grating structure of theinorganic layer 140 in the non-display area NA. The coating layer 160may protect the base member 120 and/or a display panel from externalshocks foreign material, such as dust and the like. For example, thecoating layer 160 may have a thickness of about 100□ to about 250□. Inexample embodiments, the coating layer 160 may include ananti-fingerprint (AF) coating layer. The anti-fingerprint coating layermay prevent adhesion of fingerprints or components of the body such aslipids or proteins, hide fingerprints present on the cover window 100,and enable the fingerprints to be cleaned well.

The coating layer 160 may have substantially uniform thickness dependingon a structure of the inorganic layer 140. Thus, the coating layer 160may have the diffraction grating structure 164 or an embossing surfacecorresponding to the diffraction grating structure of the inorganiclayer 140 in the non-display area NA. The diffraction grating structure164 may include a plurality of concave regions 165. A width of theconcave regions W may be adjusted corresponding to the width of thegrooves T. The diffraction may occur from the concave regions 165, sothat various colors may be seen at the non-display area (i.e. a bezelarea) NA depending on viewing angle.

In example embodiments, the coating layer 160 may be formed with afluorine-containing coating material or a hydrogen-fluorine-containingcoating material. The fluorine-containing coating material may have athermo hardening property. Also, fluorine may have waterproof andoil-proof properties, so that the fluorine-containing coating materialmay act as the anti-fingerprint coating layer. However, the coatinglayer 160 is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, variouscoating layers may be disposed on the inorganic layer 140.

The coating layer 160 may be formed by vacuum deposition. However, adry- or wet-process other than vacuum deposition may be used.

In example embodiments, the coating layer 160 may be formed on theinorganic layer 140 and the exposed window member 120 by the vacuumdeposition. Heat or an electron beam is applied to allow a coatingmaterial (or coating solution) to evaporate in vacuum. As a result, theevaporated coating material may be uniformly deposited on the surface ofthe inorganic layer 140 and exposed regions of the window member 120. Inexample embodiments, the coating layer 160 may be formed by a wetprocess such as a dip coating, a spin coating, or a spray coatingprocess. However, methods of forming the coating layer 160 are notlimited to the examples given.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the base member 120 may cover thedisplay area DA and the non-display area NA of the display panel. Thebase member 120 may be attached to the display panel by optically clearadhesive (OCA) film or transparent adhesive resin. The base member 120may include a glass or a transparent plastic.

The anti-reflection layer 130 may be disposed on the base member 120. Inexample embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 130 may include aplurality of layers 132, 134 and 136 having different refractiveindexes. For example, the anti-reflection layer 130 may include atitanium oxide layer and a silicon oxide layer.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 130 may include afirst titanium oxide layer 132 on the base member 120, a silicon oxidelayer 134 on the first titanium oxide layer 132, and a second titaniumoxide layer 136 on the silicon oxide layer 134. The first titanium oxidelayer 132, the silicon oxide layer 134 and the second titanium oxidelayer 136 may have different thicknesses and refractive indexes. Thus,the first titanium oxide layer 132, the silicon oxide layer 134 and thesecond titanium oxide layer 136 may act as the anti-reflection layer130. The anti-reflection layer 130 may improve the transmittance of thedisplay area DA of the display device, by preventing the external lightfrom being reflected by the cover window 100 and the display panel.However, the plurality of layers 132, 134 and 136 included in theanti-reflection layer 130 are not limited thereto. For example, theanti-reflection layer 130 may have a layer having materials thatdifferent refractive indexes are mixed.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 130 may be formed by asputtering process, a vacuum evaporation process, a CVD process, a PECVDprocess, a HDP-CVD process, etc.

The inorganic layer 140 may be disposed on the anti-reflection layer130. The inorganic layer 140 may have substantially uniform thickness onthe display area DA and may have a diffraction grating structure on thenon-display area NA. In example embodiments, the diffraction gratingstructure may include a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in onedirection on the non-display area NA. A width of the grooves T (i.e.,the grooves density) may be adjusted by a mask patterning.

In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a maskpatterning process. For example, the diffraction grating structure ofthe inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a slit mask or a halftone mask.However, methods of forming the inorganic layer 140 are not limitedthereto.

The coating layer 160 may be disposed on the inorganic layer 140 and theexposed window member 120. The coating layer 160 may have substantiallyuniform thickness such that the coating layer 160 has a substantiallyflat shape on the display area DA and has a diffraction gratingstructure corresponding to the diffraction grating structure of theinorganic layer 140 in the non-display area NA. The coating layer 160may protect the anti-reflection layer 130, the base member 120 and/or adisplay panel from external shocks and pollutants. In exampleembodiments, the coating layer may include an anti-fingerprint (AF)coating layer. For example, the coating layer 160 may be formed with afluorine-containing coating material or a hydrogen-fluorine-containingcoating material. However, the coating layer 160 is not limited thereto.

The coating layer 160 may have substantially uniform thickness dependingon a structure of the inorganic layer 140. Thus, the coating layer 160may have the diffraction grating structure or an embossing surfacecorresponding to the diffraction grating structure of the inorganiclayer 140 in the non-display area NA. The diffraction grating structuremay include a plurality of concave regions 165. A width of the concaveregions W may be adjusted corresponding to the width of the grooves T.Since the coating layer 160 is described above referred to FIG. 5,duplicate descriptions will not be repeated.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating an example ofmethod of manufacturing the cover window of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the method of manufacturing the cover windowof FIG. 6 may include forming an inorganic layer 140 having adiffraction grating structure 145 on a base member 120, and forming acoating layer 160 on the inorganic layer 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the inorganic layer 140 may be formed on thebase member 120. The inorganic layer 140 may have a substantiallyuniform thickness on a display area DA and may have a diffractiongrating structure 145 on a non-display area NA. The inorganic layer 140may be formed by a mask patterning process.

In example embodiments, the base member 120 may include a tempered glassthat is stronger than ordinary glass by about 3 times to about 5 times.In example embodiments, the base member 120 may be formed with atransparent plastic material (or transparent resin).

The inorganic layer 140 may be formed on the base member 120. In exampleembodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may have a substantially uniformthickness on the display area DA and may have a diffraction gratingstructure 145 on the non-display area NA. When a coating layer 160 isdisposed on the inorganic layer 140, the inorganic layer 140 may improveadhesion between the base member 120 and the coating layer. Thediffraction grating structure 145 may include a plurality of grooves 142arranged in parallel in one direction on the non-display area NA. Forexample, the grooves 442 may be formed at regions where the inorganiclayer 440 is not formed on the base member 120. Thus, the coating layermay directly contact the base member 120 at the grooves 142.

In example embodiments, the diffraction grating structure 145 mayinclude a plurality of grooves 142 arranged in parallel in one directionof the base member 120. A width of the grooves T may be adjusted by amask patterning. In example embodiments, relative widths of the groovesmay be different from each other.

The inorganic layer 140 may have a thickness of about 500□ to about600□. In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may includesilicon-oxide (SiO2). However, materials forming the inorganic layer 140are not limited thereto. For example, the inorganic layer 140 may beformed with silicon-nitride (SiNx), Silicon-oxynitride, etc.

In example embodiments, the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a maskpatterning process. For example, the diffraction grating structure 145of the inorganic layer 140 may be formed by a slit mask or a halftonemask. In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 130 may beformed by a sputtering process, a vacuum evaporation process, a CVDprocess, a PECVD process, a HDP-CVD process, etc. The width of thegrooves T may depend on process condition. In example embodiments, awidth of concave regions 165 may depend on the width of the grooves T.

In example embodiments, an anti-reflection layer may be formed on thebase member 120. For example, the anti-reflection layer may include afirst titanium oxide layer on the base member 120, a silicon oxide layeron the first titanium oxide layer, and a second titanium oxide layer onthe silicon oxide layer. The first titanium oxide layer 132, the siliconoxide layer 134 and the second titanium oxide layer 136 may havedifferent thicknesses and refractive indexes. Thus, the first titaniumoxide layer 132, the silicon oxide layer 134 and the second titaniumoxide layer 136 may act as the anti-reflection layer 130. Since theanti-reflection layer is described above referred to FIG. 5, duplicatedescriptions will not be repeated. The inorganic layer 140 may be formedon the anti-reflection layer.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the coating layer 160 having a diffractiongrating structure 164 that corresponds to the diffraction gratingstructure 145 of the inorganic layer 140 may be formed on the inorganiclayer 140 and the exposed window member 120. The coating layer 160 mayprotect the base member 120 and/or a display panel from external shocksand foreign material, such as dust and the like.

In example embodiments, the coating layer 160 may include ananti-fingerprint coating layer having a fluorine-containing coatingmaterial or a hydrogen-fluorine-containing coating material. Fluorinemay have waterproof and oil-proof properties, so that thefluorine-containing coating material may act as the anti-fingerprintcoating layer. However, the coating layer 160 is not limited thereto.

The coating layer 160 may be formed on the inorganic layer 140 and theexposed window member 120. Thus, the coating layer 160 may have thediffraction grating structure 164 or an embossing surface correspondingto the diffraction grating structure of the inorganic layer 140 in thenon-display area NA. The diffraction grating structure 164 may include aplurality of concave regions 165. A width of the concave regions W maybe adjusted corresponding to the width of the grooves T. The diffractionmay occur from the concave regions 165, so that various colors may beseen at the non-display area (i.e. a bezel area) NA depending on viewingangle.

The coating layer 160 may be formed by vacuum deposition. However, adry- or wet-process other than vacuum deposition may be used.

In example embodiments, the coating layer 160 may be formed on theinorganic layer 140 and the exposed window member 120 by the vacuumdeposition. Heat or an electron beam is applied to allow a coatingmaterial (or coating solution) to evaporate in vacuum. As a result, theevaporated coating material may be uniformly deposited on the surface ofthe inorganic layer 140 and exposed regions of the window member 120. Inexample embodiments, the coating layer 160 may be formed by the wetprocess such as a dip coating, a spin coating, or a spray coatingprocess. Since these are examples, method of forming the coating layer160 is not limited thereto.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the display device 800 may include a display panel910, a resin layer 920 and a cover window 900 where a base member 930,an inorganic layer 950 and a coating layer 960 are included. The displaydevice may have a display area DA and a non-display area NA.

A plurality of pixels including pixel circuits may be included in thedisplay area DA of the display panel 910. The display panel 910 mayinclude components for implementing an image such as a scan drivingunit, a data driving unit, a power unit, a timing control unit, etc. Thecomponents may be arranged in the non-display area NA of the displaypanel 910.

The display panel 910 may be an organic light emitting display panel, aliquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an electrophoreticpanel, an electrowetting display panel, etc. In example, embodiments,the display panel 910 may include a touch screen panel or a touchsensing module, etc.

The resin layer 920 may be disposed on the display panel 910. The resinlayer 920 may attach the cover window 900 to the display panel 910. Theresin layer 920 prevents air gaps from being formed between the displaypanel 910 and the cover window 900. Accordingly, the resin layer 920 mayprevent foreign material, such as dust and the like, from being disposedbetween the display panel 910 and the cover window 900, so that imagequality may be maintained. Further, the resin layer 920 may serve toattach the cover window 900 to the display panel 910, thereby improvingthe impact-resistance of the display device 800.

The cover window 900 may be disposed on the resin layer 920. The coverwindow 900 may include the base member 930 and the inorganic layer 950.In example embodiments, the cover window 900 may further include thecoating layer 960 on the inorganic layer.

The base member 930 may cover a surface of the display panel 910. Thebase member 930 may include a glass or a transparent plastic.

The inorganic layer 950 may be disposed on the base member 930. Inexample embodiments, the inorganic layer 950 may have substantiallyuniform thickness on the display area DA and may have a diffractiongrating structure on the non-display area NA. The diffraction gratingstructure may include a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in onedirection on the non-display area NA. In example embodiments, theplurality of grooves may have substantially uniform width (i.e., aregular pattern).

The inorganic layer 950 may include silicon-oxide (SiO₂). The inorganiclayer 950 may be formed by a mask patterning process. For example, thediffraction grating structure of the inorganic layer 950 may be formedby a slit mask or a halftone mask.

The coating layer 960 may be disposed on the inorganic layer 950. Thecoating layer 960 may have substantially uniform thickness such that thecoating layer 960 has a substantially flat shape on the display area DAand has a diffraction grating structure corresponding to the diffractiongrating structure of the inorganic layer 950 in the non-display area NA.The coating layer 960 may protect the base member 930 and/or a displaypanel 910 from external shocks and pollutants. In example embodiments,the coating layer 160 may include an anti-fingerprint (AF) coatinglayer.

The diffraction grating structure of the coating layer 960 may include aplurality of concave regions 965. A width of the concave regions W maybe adjusted corresponding to the width of the grooves T. The diffractionmay occur from the concave regions 965, so that various colors may beseen at the non-display area NA depending on viewing angle. For example,the diffraction grating structure 145 may produce iridescentreflections. Lights reflected at the non-display area NA of the coatinglayer 960 may have various colors depending on the width and/or theshape of the grooves. For example, the narrower the width of the concaveregion W is, the more colorful the non-display area NA is.

Since the cover window 900 including the inorganic layer 950 and thecoating layer 960 is described above referred to FIG. 1, duplicatedescriptions will not be repeated.

As described above, the display device 800 in FIG. 8 may include thecover window 900 having the diffraction grating structure 145 on thenon-display area NA. The diffraction and reflection of the externallight may occur from the diffraction grating structure, so that colorsmay be seen at the non-display area (i.e. a bezel area) NA depending onviewing angle (e.g., an iridescent color). Therefore, an aestheticeffect of the display device 800 having the cover window 900 may beimproved.

Furthermore, the various colors of the non-display area NA may beimplemented by the simple diffraction grating structure 145 without aprint layer or an ink layer, so that production cost may be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the displaydevice of FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, like reference numerals are used to designate elements of thecover window the same as those in FIG. 8, and detailed description ofthese elements may be omitted. Referring to FIG. 9, the display device800 may include a display panel 910, a resin layer 920 and a coverwindow 900 where a base member 930, an anti-reflection layer 940, aninorganic layer 950 and a coating layer 960 are included. The displaydevice may have a display area DA and a non-display area NA.

In example embodiments, the anti-reflection layer 940 may include aplurality of layers 942, 944 and 946 having different refractiveindexes. For example, the anti-reflection layer 940 may include atitanium oxide layer and a silicon oxide layer. In other words, theanti-reflection layer 940 may include a first titanium oxide layer 942on the base member 930, a silicon oxide layer 944 on the first titaniumoxide layer 942, and a second titanium oxide layer 946 on the siliconoxide layer 944. The first titanium oxide layer 942, the silicon oxidelayer 944 and the second titanium oxide layer 946 may have differentthicknesses and refractive indexes. The anti-reflection layer 940 mayimprove the transmittance of the display area DA of the display device800, by preventing the external light from being reflected by the coverwindow 900 and the display panel 910.

The non-display area NA of the cover window 900 may include continuouslyconcave-convex pattern (i.e., the diffraction grating structure), sothat colors may be seen at the non-display area (i.e. a bezel area) NAdepending on viewing angle.

The present embodiments may be applied to any display device and anysystem including the display device. For example, the presentembodiments may be applied to the display device, such as a LiquidCrystal Display (LCD) device, an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED)device, Plasma Display Panel (PDP), etc.

The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments, and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments havebeen described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in the example embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of exampleembodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of example embodiments as defined in theclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative ofexample embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to thespecific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosedexample embodiments, as well as other example embodiments, are intendedto be included within the scope of the appended claims. The inventiveconcept is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of theclaims to be included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover window covering a display panel of adisplay device, the cover window comprising: a base member covering adisplay area and a non-display area of the display panel; and aninorganic layer located on the base member, the inorganic layer having asubstantially uniform thickness on the display area and having adiffraction grating structure on the non-display area, wherein thediffraction grating structure comprises a plurality of grooves arrangedin parallel in a first direction.
 2. The cover window of claim 1 furthercomprising: a coating layer located on the inorganic layer, wherein thecoating layer has substantially uniform thickness such that the coatinglayer has a substantially flat shape on the display area and has adiffraction grating structure corresponding to the diffraction gratingstructure of the inorganic layer in the non-display area.
 3. The coverwindow of claim 2, wherein the coating layer comprises ananti-fingerprint coating layer.
 4. The cover window of claim 3, whereinthe anti-fingerprint layer comprises a fluorine-containing coatingmaterial.
 5. The cover window of claim 1, wherein the inorganic layercomprises silicon-oxide.
 6. The cover window of claim 1 furthercomprising an anti-reflection layer located between the inorganic layerand the base member.
 7. The cover window of claim 6, wherein theanti-reflection layer comprises a plurality of layers having differentrefractive indexes.
 8. The cover window of claim 7, wherein theanti-reflection layer comprises a titanium oxide layer and a siliconoxide layer.